When we reach our goals, we’re empowered to set even greater ones. But there are some goals that may seem out of reach to even the most motivated people.
It’s natural to have feelings of anxiety and self-doubt — believing in ourselves isn’t always easy. But hanging on to limiting beliefs about what we can accomplish stops us from working toward our dreams. These harmful thoughts make goals seem unattainable, even when they’re actually within our grasp.
To reach our full potential, we have to nip that negativity in the bud. Of course, building the confidence and skills to maximize our potential is easier said than done. But we’re not alone—high-performance coaches can help.
High-performance coaches specialize in pushing people to set and reach their loftiest goals. Let’s explore this niche of the coaching field and how you can help others achieve what they never thought possible.
What is a high-performance coach?
High-performance coaching is designed to help people optimize an area of their life, such as their career or fitness. Many high-performance coaches work with athletes who want to push their bodies, but this model works for anyone who wants to tap into their inner power and aspire to large-scale goals.
While anyone can benefit from this kind of coaching, high-performance coaches often work with people who already identify as high-performers. These individuals may feel unchallenged, bored, or maxed out, and their coach helps them pinpoint projects or goals that add more purpose to their lives.
How do high-performance coaches help clients?
If we have a limiting belief about ourselves, it probably didn’t come out of nowhere. Perhaps we don’t have the skills and resources to take on a certain goal, or maybe someone told us that we’re incapable of reaching it.
A coach’s role is to inspire their clients to change their thinking, opening them up to new possibilities. We also empower those in our care with the skills and support they need to succeed. Here are a few ways high-performance coaches fill this role:
- Help clients overcome imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is when a person doesn’t feel as capable as peers or deserving of their accomplishments. Coaches can help clients overcome this feeling by addressing their insecurities and defining their value.
- Show support and enthusiasm. High performers are often at the top of their game, but coaches must embrace the client’s goal to push further. They’re also the client’s biggest cheerleaders, offering positivity even when the person they’re mentoring feels down.
- Aid clients in setting realistic, achievable goals. A high-performance coach must know the line between a feasible reach and a goal that’s impossible. They help clients set challenges that won’t end in disappointment and frustration.
- Help clients deal with perfectionism and self-sabotage. Many high-performing clients are used to success. They may feel discouraged when they’re unable to immediately reach a challenging goal — and a coach must help them manage this negativity.
- Show clients how to tackle their fear of failure. Many high-achievers prefer not to try at all so they don’t risk failing. Doing so protects them from feeling frustration and disappointment, but also holds them back. A high-performance coach works with the client to build the confidence and skills they need to overcome this fear of failure.
- Help already high-performing people avoid boredom. Sometimes, no mountain seems high enough for the consummate high performer. A coach helps these clients create goals in areas in which they don’t usually excel, such as a new hobby, to keep pushing boundaries and expanding horizons.
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Models for high-performance coaching
Guiding clients toward goals can be challenging, but helping them toward a goal they believe is out of reach is even tougher. High-performance mentors rely on specific methodologies to guide their coaching sessions and maximize their impact. Here are a few:
- The FLOW model: The FLOW coaching model helps people achieve an optimal mental state for reaching their goals. This model examines the emotions we cycle through when completing a task: An easy task may make us feel apathetic, while a difficult one might make us anxious. The theory behind this model is that when we land on tasks that are just challenging enough and we have the tools to perform them, we enter a “flow state.” This flow state is what some refer to as “being in the zone” and describes the feeling of completely focusing on the task at hand, optimizing performance.
- The GROW model: GROW is an acronym that stands for Goals, Reality, Obstacles, and Way forward. Using this model, high-performance coaches help their clients set realistic goals, describe their current situation and potential obstacles, and determine the necessary action items to begin making positive changes.
- Exponential coaching: This model relies on “10x” thinking — in other words, planning to make vast improvements or strides — by a factor of ten. This methodology focuses on having clients set goals they think they will never reach or are too afraid to pursue. Then, coaches help them map a specific and tangible strategy toward these goals.
- The Emotional Interface model: In this model, coaches help clients identify their fears, worries, and guilt. The theory is that negative emotions can stand in the way of one’s success, and coaches work with clients to eliminate these interfering feelings. Coaches invite their clients to face these fears and think about worst-case scenarios, then work with clients to diminish their self-doubt, freeing themselves up for more significant achievements.
Who seeks high-performance coaching?
If you think just about everyone could benefit from a high-performance coaching program, you’re not wrong. We can all dream bigger.
If you become a high-performance coach, you’re likely to encounter clients who are at a crossroads or want a new challenge. Depending on your niche, here are a few examples of potential clients who could walk through your practice’s door:
- Professionals looking to change careers, take on more significant challenges, or reach their full potential.
- Entrepreneurs trying to set goals and create high-performance habits while tackling roadblocks preventing their success.
- College students planning long-term education and career goals.
- Athletes who want to push themselves further or come back after an injury.
- Leaders who want to practice mindfulness, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence to guide others with more intentionality.
Run a high-performing business
Whether you’re an aspiring high-performance coach or have been in the business for a while, it’s time to set your own 10x goal, optimize your workflow, and improve your coaching process. Like clients, you haven’t reached your professional limits yet — take your business to the next level by cutting down on administrative tasks and refocusing your time.
The first action you can take is to shift some work from your plate to ours. At Practice, we understand the benefits of coaching and work hard to ensure you can run your business without hiccups. Our customer relationship management (CRM) platform is specifically designed with coaches in mind, helping you communicate with clients, store important documents, and receive payments safely and securely.
